Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel gives back to community with ‘I’m Inspired’ event
BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED MAY 4, 2024
MILILANI — Giving back to his community has always been on Dillon Gabriel’s heart.
The Oregon quarterback and former Mililani Trojan was back home Friday night as he helped present new home and away uniforms for his alma mater’s football team in his “I’m Inspired” event, which was free for the public.
Gabriel, who also played at University of Central Florida and Oklahoma before his transfer to the Ducks, has been donating to Mililani’s athletic teams for the past couple of years now using earnings earned profiting off his own name, image and likeness (NIL).
“I just wanted to inspire others and push the culture and challenge others to keep providing the best resources for our young athletes,” said Gabriel.
“They deserve it, they work hard, just excited for them. Nothing beats a smile on their face and the confidence they’ll have when they go play.”
Brands like Nike, Guardian Caps, Raising Cane’s, Riddell, EvoShield, HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union and Hawaii Pacific Health, among others, have contributed to the event.
In addition to the football uniforms being branded by Nike, VICIS also played a role as a primary sponsor with its donations of ZERO2 helmets to outfit the team. VICIS sister brand Schutt also contributed new XV series shoulder pads.
“It’s great, a lot of work got put into it,” Gabriel said of the new football uniforms, which are back in Mililani’s traditional Brown and Gold colors.
“A lot of people touched this project. I can’t take everyone enough for just the accessories, the helmets, the shoulder pads, the uniform, all of it coming together to show you the product that they came out in. I’m super grateful.”
Among those in attendance was one of Gabriel’s former high school teammate Darius Muasau, who was recently drafted by the New York Giants in the sixth round after a collegiate career at UCLA and Hawai’i.
“It’s a great feeling being in Mililani right now, having this whole function thrown by Dillon, grateful for that guy,” said Muasau.
“This is what it’s all about right here, giving back to the community, being with the future generation right here. It’s nice to give back and seeing everybody happy and all the smiles across everybody’s face.”
The event was emceed by Hawaii News Now’s Steve Uyehara and had a concert by Nesian N.I.N.E after the uniforms were unveiled. There were also games, food and activities in the free event for the public.
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